PSYCH101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 11: Physical Attractiveness, Bisexuality, Twin Study

• School: University of Waterloo
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYCH101
• Professor: Paul Wehr

Document Summary

Our motivations are shaped by physiological, psychological, and social factors. Libido: the motivation for sexual activity and pleasure. Sex frequently occurs without an end goal of reproduction. It serves many purposes other than what seems to be its primary biological purpose. Sex for purposes other than reproduction appears to be rare in nonhumans species. One of the first scientists to tackle the topic of human sexual behaviour was alfred kinsey. He started researching on human sexuality by interviewing his students about their sexual histories. He reported 37% of the males had at least one homosexual experience resulting in orgasm. The survey and interview methods have provided a rich set of data about human sexuality. Other researchers have approached this topic from a biological standpoint by looking at the physiological and brain basis of sexual motivation. Sexual arousal (biological state) can influence what we pay attention to and how we respond to it; it can influence our feelings of desire.